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One evening, however, as Harry Wethermill walked down from the

Cercle to the Villa des Fleurs, a woman's voice spoke to him from

behind

"Monsieur!"

He turned and saw Mme Dauvray's maid He stopped under a street

lamp, and said: "Well, what can I do for you?"

The woman hesitated

"I hopea great impertinence But I think monsieur is not very

kind to Mlle Celie"

Wethermill stared at her

"What on earth do you rily

Helene Vauquier looked him quietly in the face

"It is plain, monsieur, that Mlle Celie loves monsieur Monsieur

has led her on to love him But it is also plain to a woman with

quick eyes that monsieur himself cares no more for mademoiselle

than for the button on his coat It is not very kind to spoil the

happiness of a young and pretty girl,could have been more respectful than the manner in which

these words were uttered Wether lest the maid should beco with Mlle Celie Why

should I not care for her?"

Helene Vauquier shrugged her shoulders The question needed no

answer